BLACKSMITH DEDICATION

Jay Walker

Set on the historic site of the Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, the Heathsville Forge Blacksmith Shop was dedicated on Saturday, July 23.  Sponsored by the RH/HT Foundation, the festivities ran from 10.00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Blessing of the Blacksmith Shop was conducted by Rev. T. W. Morris of the Shiloh Baptist Church.  The forge was lit using coal found on the site during the excavation and the Heathsville Forge Blacksmith Guild described blacksmithing techniques using tools circa. 1790 to1840. (Traditionally, blacksmith shops took the name of the village in which the forge was located.)

The building is the result of two years of work by a group of dedicated volunteers, the Tavern Rangers, who completed a vision articulated by the late Dan Purvis. The Rangers have named the facility “Dan’s Forge” and they have mounted a dedication plaque on the front of the shop in recognition of his inspiration.  Only the roof and the brickwork were done by outside workers.

“When a visitor comes to the building, what we are trying to do inside is replicate a period of time about 1790 to 1840,” explained John Brauer, the Blacksmith Shop project director.  “Although there are tools in there from later times, visitors will be seeing things as close to 1800 as we can make it, with a few exceptions that we will point out.”

When the Rangers are not in period clothing, they will be doing production work, making items to be sold in the Tavern Store.  That activity was a key part of Dan Purvis’ vision.  To carry out the Blacksmith Shop mission, the Rangers formed the Heathsville Forge Blacksmith Guild, similar in concept to the Tavern Quilting Guild. 

According to Brauer, the Blacksmith Guild, which currently numbers 31 people, has three objectives:  First is doing historical interpretation in period costume similar to what interpreters do at  Colonial Williamsburg.  Second is doing production work using modern tools.  Third is the training/teaching of blacksmithing techniques. The Artists and Blacksmiths Association of North America (ABANA) provided guidance in forming the guild and the guild is now an affiliated member.

Since the original design for the shop by Dan Purvis, more and more ideas for its use have emerged that required expanding the size of the building and adding the porch outside. To accommodate this expansion, the Foundation brought in historical architect Will Gwilliams, who has done considerable work for Colonial Williamsburg. The finished structure will now hold more people and provide an outdoor area for community events.

Asked what Dan Purvis would say if he saw the culmination of his dream, Brauer said, “I think Dan would be impressed.  His vision has grown in size and organization.  But I think he would say, ‘Job well done.’”

The entire event was mainly in honor of the Rangers, who range in age from 66 to 80, according to RH/HT Foundation President Peggy Fleming.  “These guys are really excited about what they have done, because they have built this thing from scratch.  It’s really exciting to see these men who have worked so hard get the recognition they deserve for their contributions to the foundation,” she observed. “The shop is a great thing for the foundation and for the community as a teaching place.”

Echoing this point, Foundation Board member George Beckett, who headed the dedication effort, said, “I see the shop as having three purposes.  The first is representing a Colonial blacksmith shop in which the blacksmith arts of the 1700s and early 1800s are used.  It also provides a forge and a well-equipped shop for practicing blacksmiths in the area to produce metal objects de art.  Thirdly, it will become a teaching forge where apprentices would be able to learn the skills in those fields. For instruction we will use both modern and traditional tools as well as the technology available to today’s blacksmith.  Nevertheless, the foundation will continue to be teaching the techniques of the early 1800s.”

Beckett envisions in time that the shop will become accredited and be able to provide courses for high school and college students as well as adults.  The goal is to grow in the next two years into being a teaching forge.

As part of the celebration, there was BBQ and hotdogs, horse shoes, croquet and quilting.  The Girl Scouts had a pavilion featuring crafts for children.  The Mid-County Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Callao Fire Department were on hand, along with the Heathsville Lions Club and the Woman’s Club.  Live music was performed by Roger Himler, Dave Long, and Dragon Run.  Antique carriages were rolled out for the occasion.  A small section for vendor stands included Old Dominion Soap Company and Dirty Bird Pottery.  In addition, the Rescue Squad had a bake sale.

Dan’s Forge is located off of Route 360, behind the Old Court House and behind the RH/HT Tavern.  For detailed directions, please call the Foundation office at 804 580 3377.